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How to Retrofit a Ventilation System: Best Practices for Healthier, Energy-Efficient Homes

Ventilation is the process of air exchange between the inside and outside of a space; stale air and moisture is removed from the inside of a building and replaced by fresh air from the outside. Good ventilation is vital for all buildings to ensure air is kept healthy for breathing, by diluting and removing pollutants. As well as regulating the air and maintaining a healthy environment for occupants, ventilation also helps reduce mould growth and condensation.

In this feature we look at the importance of ventilation, the different solutions to consider when retrofitting, plus general good guidance, to ensure a healthy indoor climate. For the purpose of this feature we will focus on ventilation retrofit for homes, ventilation retrofit for commercial and educational buildings will be addressed in the next feature.

The Building Regulations Approved Document F outlines the requirements for ventilation in all buildings. The aim of the requirement is “to protect the health of occupants of the building by providing adequate ventilation. Without adequate ventilation, mould and internal air pollution might become hazardous to health.” It also states that ventilation may be delivered through natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation or a combination of both.

Importance of ventilation

Poor ventilation can result in harmful pollutants and moisture being trapped in the home, which in turn can affect the health of occupants and also the deterioration of the property. Moisture is generated in homes through showering, washing dishes and clothes, cooking and even just by breathing and without effective ventilation, this moisture can be trapped and turn into condensation, particularly in the winter when surfaces such as walls are colder. The condensation can lead to damp and mould growth which can cause damage to the home, potentially lead to respiratory illnesses and result in an unpleasant living environment.

Benefits of mechanical ventilation

Simplistically, mechanical ventilation systems circulate fresh air using ducts and fans, rather than relying solely on airflow through windows, doors, walls and roofs. It provides many benefits to occupants including improved air quality, temperature regulation, energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint, with the purpose of ensuring a healthy and comfortable indoor living environment.

The automatic ventilation exchange allows windows to remain closed, so that the heat generated via the heating system remains in the room, allowing room temperatures to remain constant, with the added benefit of fresh air.

With Building Regulations becoming ever more stringent and airtightness being a significant factor to prevent heat loss and reduce carbon emissions, mechanical ventilation systems have become increasingly important as window ventilation alone is not adequate or indeed energy efficient. It is important to note that if the airtightness is <3 which would be likely in a deep retrofit situation, mechanical heat recovery will be required by Building Regulations.

Ventilation retrofit options

A ventilation retrofit could be a basic air moving upgrade to prevent mould and condensation in rooms with a high moisture occurrence such as bathroom and kitchens. For the more energy conscious, a full ventilation retrofit would include mechanical heat recovery.

There are two types of systems – centralised which is more suited to new build and decentralised which is the ideal solution for retrofitting. Decentralised ventilation systems offer the versatility of implementing individual ventilation concepts, simple installation without additional piping, individual control options and flexible installation locations, as well as being highly energy efficient.

Lunos decentralized ventilation systems.

Exhaust Air System

The exhaust air system offered by Partel for retrofit, combines LUNOS Silvento, which can be used in wet rooms, bathrooms and kitchens and LUNOS ALD, used in other rooms, as one system. A basic retrofit may involve just simply replacing an existing fan system with a Silvento fan, thus pulling air out of the house. Used in combination with the Silvento Fan, the LUNOS ALD system serves as passive inflow for living rooms and bedrooms. Different airflow levels can be set so the system is able to provide ideal and comfortable ventilation in different room sizes with different air requirements.

Heat Recovery System

Example of Lunos Ventilation System with Heat Recovery.

LUNOS heat recovery systems are particularly suitable for retrofit as the requirement for ductwork is eliminated and instead small systems equipped with heat recovery are located in individual rooms, offering exceptional thermal comfort and unsurpassed air quality. Each device is equipped with a heat exchanger and fans, which are usually placed directly in the facade of the building.

e2 fans are used in living rooms, with the units always operating in pairs, therefore an even number of units must be installed to ensure the system works effectively. Functional rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens are operated by the ego fan which ensures supply and exhaust air with heat recovery with one fan.

The LUNOS system benefits from an integrated, fully-automated control system to ensure optimal operation, ventilating as little as possible but as much as necessary, to prevent unwanted odours and moisture problems. Also the e² heat recovery system with automated humidity control has enhanced indoor air quality, providing optimal comfort and constant fresh air for living spaces.

As part of the futureproofing of the system, LUNOS offers the possibility for smart control and networking that can be implemented retrospectively.

The two systems can be used independently or combined depending on the ventilation retrofit requirements for that individual home. Combinations of extract air units and fans with heat recovery are particularly effective, since they ensure that living spaces have constant fresh air with heat loss due to the heat recovery units, whilst extract air rooms, such as bathrooms and kitchens can be ventilated cost effectively.

All systems are suitable for the retrofitting of all type of homes, please see below two projects showing the benefits and outcomes of a ventilation retrofit carried out in a private residence and for social housing.

Retrofit in action

Dublin Bay Retrofit – Decentralised Ventilation System

Supplied by Partel, the LUNOS ventilation system was specified for a residential retrofit to improve energy performance and indoor air quality, as well as maximising the scenic views over Dublin Bay. The homeowners wanted to achieve an equal balance of quality design, healthy indoor air and energy performance, whilst keeping the property’s modern with clean lines.

LUNOS e² demand-controlled heat recovery system was identified due to its ductless, self-contained system, mitigating the need to do extensive modifications. Power-efficient e² fans were installed that make use of the principle of regenerative heat exchange, with flow-optimised motors and a low-noise fan unit in a sound-insulated chassis, ensuring quiet operation. The fans blend discreetly and appropriately into the design of the house, being concealed behind a white cover.

The homeowner is delighted with the outcome which has ensured the balance between energy performance and design that fulfils the brief, resulting in an A3 energy rating (BER) for their home.

Dublin City Council Social Housing – Ventilation Systems Upgrade Project

Dublin City Council (DCC) undertook a groundbreaking project to enhance the indoor air quality of its social housing properties. This initiative focused on upgrading or installing cutting-edge ventilation systems to address persistent challenges related to poor air quality, condensation, and mould reported by tenants, as well as providing residents with improved living conditions.

Partel’s decentralized continuous Mechanical Extract Ventilation (d-MEV) system was specified. This featured the use of LUNOS Silvento V-EC FK extract fans and Lunos ALD100 units for passive intake, and, with the requirement to minimise the disruption to tenants, external walls were cored where necessary to facilitate the installation. Existing inadequate ventilation systems, such as intermittent extracts and hit-and-miss vents, were removed.

To further reduce disruption to tenants and ensure an efficient use of resources, existing ventilation cores were evaluated for suitability and were utilised, if deemed fit for purpose.

This ventilation upgrade project serves as a successful example of how the adoption of decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (d-MEV) systems can significantly improve indoor air quality and living

conditions for residents while minimising disruption during installation. The project’s benefits include ease of maintenance, automatic ventilation control, and efficient use of existing ventilation cores.

Conclusion

Ventilation in homes to ensure healthier living and a more comfortable environment is a must and high on the agenda for any retrofit or renovation project. Upgrading a home’s ventilation will not only bring those benefits but will also be more cost effective with energy savings for the homeowner, whilst also reducing carbon emissions.

We have all seen what damage mould and condensation can cause if left to develop, to both occupants and the property itself, so it is vital to address ventilation retrofit with the utmost importance.

The LUNOS range offered by Partel provides a number of eco-friendly retrofit options for homes, ensuring energy efficiency, with reduced power consumption, low sound levels and ultimate comfort. The LUNOS system has been designed with the latest technology and can be easily upgraded in the future as ventilation requirements change.

References

  1. Guidance: Existing home ventilation guide, gov.uk
  2. Ventilation: Approved Document F
  3. Mechanical ventilation systems, Partel
  4. Dublin Bay Retrofit – Decentralised Ventilation System, Partel
  5. Case study: Dublin City Council Ventilation Systems Upgrade

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